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Home > Fishes
> Pelagic Fishes > Istiophorus platypterus
Family Istiophoridae
INDO-WEST PACIFIC / HAWAII
Istiophorus platypterus
SAILFISH
a'u lepe
Bashokajiki
Rarely seen by divers along steep dropoffs or hooked
while trolling offshore in Hawaiian waters but abundant in Central
America. Easily identified by the large sail-like dorsal fin, when
fully extended is nearly 1/3 as tall as the body length, with the
tallest point roughly in the middle. The sword-like bill is
slashed left and right to maim prey so they can be swallowed with
ease. Attains length of about 11 feet and weight of 221 pounds.
Hawai'i, the Indo-Pacific, and Tropical Eastern Pacific. |
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